Ireland is opting-in to seven legal acts under the Pact: the Reception Conditions Directive, Qualification Regulation, Asylum Procedure Regulation, Union Resettlement Framework Regulation, Asylum and Migration Management Regulation, Eurodac Regulation, and Crisis and Force Majeure Regulation.

The government secured support from the Oireachtas for opting-in despite opposition from Sinn Féin, which claimed that it would “hand responsibility and power for Ireland’s immigration policies over to Brussels lock, stock and barrel” and “represents a dangerous erosion of Irish sovereignty”.

The pact has also come under sharp criticism from human rights organisations, who argue that it represents an erosion of asylum rights.

The European Commission today adopted decisions confirming Ireland’s opt-ins.

The decisions confirming Ireland’s participation in the Asylum Procedure Regulation and Reception Conditions Directive will enter into force the day after their publication in the EU’s official journal. The other five decisions will enter into force on the 20th day following their publication in the official journal.

Ylva Johansson, the European commissioner for home affairs, said: “Congratulations Ireland! By opting into the pact, Ireland is joining forces to better manage migration in Europe — to better protect our borders and protect vulnerable people, to return those who don’t have the right to stay.

“By opting in, Ireland shows solidarity with member states under pressure — and can count on EU support in time of need. Ireland’s opt-in is a vote of confidence in the pact, in our ability to jointly manage migration.”

Margaritis Schinas, vice-president for Promoting our European Way of Life, said: “Ireland joining the Pact on Migration and Asylum marks one more crucial step toward a cohesive and sustainable European approach to migration. I commend Ireland’s decision.

“Every member state’s active involvement is key to make a success of the implementation of the pact. By working together, Europe can effectively secure its borders, provide support to those in need of protection, and manage migration in a humane and efficient manner.”